On August 17, 2024, the Evanston community came together once again for our 2nd Annual Evanston is Family Strong Back to School Family Fun Fest. This year’s event, held at the Robert Crown Community Center, exceeded all expectations with nearly 1,000 attendees—a huge increase from last year’s turnout...

Food insecurity is a pressing issue that affects many communities across the nation, and Evanston is no exception. The fight against food insecurity in Evanston is supported by a network of dedicated organizations and community members. From food pantries and soup kitchens to community fridges and student resources, these initiatives provide crucial support to those in need. Here’s a look at some of the key resources available in Evanston to combat food insecurity.

What happens when suit-and-tie bureaucrats sit down with parents from the south side of Chicago? Or when foster parents and birth parents share a table? Magic, according to BSF. We explore how Parent Cafés quietly disrupt bias, shift power dynamics, and create genuine belonging, one conversation at a time.

Loneliness is a public health crisis, and Parent Cafés are part of the solution. We explore the connection between social isolation and family well-being, and why intentionally building social connections isn't just good for parents, it's good for all of us.

Interpersonal trauma is healed through corrective social experiences, which Parent Cafés were designed to create. In this installment of "Why Are Cafés So Great?", BSF CEO Kathryn Leigh Goetz makes the case for Cafés as a powerful, accessible space for healing trauma.

What if Parent Cafés are doing some of the same work as therapy and for some people, working even better? We explore the parallels between Cafés and conventional mental health services, and why peer-based community connection may be one of the most undervalued tools in the mental health toolkit.

BSF doesn't just prevent crises; we help people navigate them. In this edition of "Why Are Cafés So Great?", our CEO reframes the conversation around crisis intervention, asking: what if the real agents of change aren't the professionals, but the community itself?

In a collaboration spanning the better part of three years, Be Strong Families has proudly partnered with the Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN) in Washington, D.C. as they explore the outcomes and positive impact of Parent Café participation on parents, caregivers, and their families. This groundbreaking research effort, with the support of BSF, has recently culminated in a significant milestone…

Gobble Gobble ya’ll: it’s the time of year again when families get together to eat, drink, watch football and parades, celebrate gratitude, and often, unfortunately … argue! Be Strong Families has a plan for that!